Chapter 3

• “Dade Jones!”
• Dade jumped and turned to see the older round woman coming from the kitchen. She had a smudge of flour on her dark cheek and was scowling. “Momma G,” he whispered. “What are you doing here?” He dropped his hands and stepped back from Cora.
• The older woman walked right up to him and looked up. “Do you want to tell me why I had to hear second hand that you finally asked this beautiful woman to be your wife? Am I not a little more important in your life than that? I held you in my lap the first time you were at the temple…”
• Dade stooped down and kissed her cheek softly. “Of course, you’re important. Things have just been…we had to get the things ready for the hand fast, and Halloween…”
• She shook her head at him. “And why are you here?” Turning, she looked around at the other men’s startled faces.
• Steven stood up and took out his teeth. Slowly he extended a hand. “Doctor O’Reily…”
• “I know who you are,” she said quietly. “You’re the man that’s going to look after this lovely woman right here.” She motioned to Rachel.
• He looked down at Rachel, grinned and then turned back nodding quickly. “For the rest of my life,” he said solemnly.
• Rachel cuddled into his arm.
• “And you.” Momma G pointed to Owen. “You have been back in town all these months and I haven’t heard from you once.”
• Owen dropped his head down. “Sorry Momma G, life got crazy on me.”
• She smiled and walked over, pulling his head down and kissed his cheek. “I know, Owen.” Gripping his cheeks, she smiled up at him. “Always were such a good boy.” She sniffled. “Your bride is beautiful person.”
• Owen smiled down at her. “Yes, she is. I am a very lucky man.”
• Nodding, she released his face.
• Chris let Kasey go and took off his hat extending his hand toward the frightening woman. “Christopher Larkin, Ma’am.”
• Momma G looked at him for a moment and took his hand. She didn’t shake it, just held it in hers. She looked up at him and spoke softly. “You’ll stay pure as the first snow, Mr. Larkin, or you’ll deal with me.”
• Kasey smirked beside him.
• Chris nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” He almost looked scared.
• “Well now isn’t this a sight.” Patrick chuckled as he came out of the kitchen. “You gents get tired of each other?”
• Steven grimaced. “No. Chris had some rude relatives arrive early, so we bailed.”
• Patrick laughed. “Well whatever the reason, I’m just glad to see you. I was more than outnumbered here.”
• Dade took off his hat. “And why are you allowed to be here and we’re not?”
• “Someone had to give me a ride.” Rhonda stepped out from behind Patrick’s tall frame. “They won’t let me drive.” She hissed out a breath. “My hands move well enough, but I have no grip yet.”
• Owen smiled and walked towards her. “Why didn’t you let me know darlin’? I would have tried to help.”
• Rhonda smiled up at him then looked around to Momma G. “See,” she said with a grin.
• Momma G laughed. “Oh, I know all about my, Owen. Raised him on my knee alongside that little trouble maker.” She smirked at Dade when his mouth dropped. “Always knew Owen had something in him.”
• Owen grinned over at her. “You could have shared. It might have done me some good to know about this a long time ago.”
• Momma G sat down. “Oh, things happen when they’re meant to, Owen, always.”
• Owen sat on the table and motioned for Rhonda to sit on the couch.
• Rhonda grinned as she sat down. “It’s one way to get a man to hold my hands.” She winked at him.
• Patrick snorted and walked over and sat in the other chair. “I’m sure you don’t need the help.”
• Rhonda shrugged. “Maybe. At least I didn’t before I looked like this.”
• Owen looked up from the hand he held. “You mean you weren’t always this lovely?”
• She grinned. “Sweet man.” Turning, she glanced at Leena. “Are you sure you want him?”
• Leena nodded. “Oh, I think my heart’s set on him now.”
• Rhonda sighed loudly. “You girls took all of them. You didn’t even leave any to share.”
• Dade shrugged as he pulled Cora to his side. “Hey there’s always, Kevin.”
• Patrick laughed. “Don’t sic her on that poor boy, he’d never make it.”
• Rhonda glared at him.
• Rachel held up her hand and took two steps then stopped and put her hand over her stomach. “Oh.” She turned quickly and headed up the stairs.
• Steven looked around at everyone, then ran after her.
• “Oh dear.” Momma G grinned. “Hopefully someone doesn’t have morning sickness on her wedding day.”
• “I’m sure they’ll be more upset if it happens during their wedding night.” Chris said with a grin.
• Kasey smacked him. “Is that all you men ever think about?”
• Chris looked at Owen who shrugged as he picked up Rhonda’s other hand and then back to her. “Pretty much.”
• Momma G threw her head back and laughed. “So much good emotion in this room right now I feel like dancing. Of course, these old bones don’t dance no more so I won’t.”
• “I’m fine.” Rachel said quietly to Steven as they came back down the stairs. She stopped and grinned at everyone. “I got sick.”
• Cora smiled. “Only you would be happy about that, Rachel.”
• Leena looked at her watch. “You men have to go.”
• Owen stood up from the table. “Baby…”
• She shook her head. “I need to get some sleep so I’m not napping at my own handfast tomorrow.”
• Kasey nodded and pouted at Chris. “She’s right.”
• “So where are we supposed to go?” Steven asked hugging Rachel back into him and rubbing her tummy gently. “I’m not going back to stay with Aunt Godzilla.”
• Dade shrugged. “I’m going home. I have to get up early and pick up all the food and stuff here before I even meet you guys to get ready.”
• Owen sighed. “I guess Chris and I are crashing at your place, Doc.”
• Steven looked up from nuzzling into Rachel’s neck. “Sounds good.” Then he looked at the women. “So where are you ladies going to be?”
• Cora grinned resting her head-on Dade’s shoulder. “Not here. Kathy and Ralph will be here shortly. They’re going to stay and finish. We’re going to Lee’s.” She lifted her head and smiled at Dade. “I’ll be back in the morning to help you.”
• He nodded.
• Patrick stood up. “Is there room for another body at your place, O’Reily?”
• Rhonda stood up flexing her hands. “Why don’t you go with Dade? I’m sure he could use a hand in the morning.”
• Patrick looked at her and saw her looking down at her hands. “You’ll get a ride there then?”
• She looked up and smiled. “I’m sure someone will give me a lift.”
• Cora smiled. “Absolutely.”